The trade body for the oil-fired heating industry, OFTEC, is urging people in Berkshire to get their boilers checked before winter sets in to reduce any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A 2012 report by the Gas Safety Trust showed oil-fired heating to be extremely safe for domestic use. However all fossil fuels can give off the clear, odourless gas which is responsible for more than 50 deaths and 4,000 people admitted to hospital in the UK every year.

OFTEC estimates 12,000 households in the county rely on oil to heat their homes and users should be aware that carbon monoxide poisoning can affect them.

Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC said: “The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is significantly lower with oil-fired central heating but consumers should not be complacent. In order to save lives, we recommend having your boiler checked annually by an OFTEC registered technician to make sure that it is working properly. We also recommend homeowners install a carbon monoxide detector in their home.

“This is an important issue which we stress to our customers all year round. We want to do all we can to support national Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week and view a carbon monoxide detector as just as important to people’s safety as a smoke alarm – they really do save lives.”

Further information on how to minimise the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning is provided at www.oilsave.co.uk. Consumers can also ring OFTEC on 0845 65 85 080, option 3 for advice on carbon monoxide related issues.

Carbon monoxide facts

Any fuel burning appliance can release carbon monoxide

Poisoning occurs when carbon fuels don’t burn properly

Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness and headaches

Anyone can be affected by carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide can’t be seen and has no smell or taste

It can cause long term damage to your health, or kill very quickly

In most cases it occurs when a heating system is not maintained properly or has been installed incorrectly